St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-18
PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS.
Novelties for Decorating and IL
Illuminating ParlOrs for the Com
ing Holidays.

ing Holidays.
There are a great many novelties
this year in the way of candle illumina-
ton"
The above reply was made by whole
sale house to one who had asked what
preparations had been made for Christ
mas. The informant continued:
You will remember that some time
ago candles were an actual necessity.
But since the introduction of kerosene
oil. gas and the electric light, they are
luxury. Only the well-tO-dO now use
candles as a means of decoration. They
may have gas or even electric lights in
their house: but at this season of the
year they are bound 10 use candles, and
in the most elaborate forms of style and
decoration. This year the designs hive
been more elegant than ever before.
One beautiful thing is a lantern in
which tapers are burned. 1t is intended
TO illuminate dark corners, and is
called glOw-wOrm lantern. The ma
terial from which the lantern is made is
either oXydiZed silver, polished brass or
bright royal copper. This is Ornamented
with cOlOred glasses of small size to rep
resent Jewels. and when lit up it forms
a very pretty ornament. Next there are
swinging lamps on stands made of
either OXydiZed silver, gilt or pol
ished brass, the taper being
within lamp of varied cOlOred
glasses. forming a pretty decoration for
a table. Then there are candle holders
made in bisque ware in imitation of
flowers. OF these there is an endless
variety. In addition TO these there are
the 0ld-fashiOned fiat candlestick which
GRO 1rl1n OF no
like it. made of nickel plate or brass.
For mantle ornaments there are candel-
abraS after the Egyptian, Viennese or
French styles, all entirely new this sea-
SON.
What about the candles themselves"
There are candles made to initiate
old china, in blue upon white. A pretty
candle of blue Ornamented with the
sun, moon and stars in gold: COrin-
THAN candles of all sizes and shades:
OlC-fashiOned German candles. twisted
and vOluted. of all sizes, colOrs and
styles: Jupiter candles in various
cOlOrs. decorated with golden stars; the
cOrncOb candle in imitation of that az
ticle, with or without the gold Orna-
mentS and decorations: tulip candles in
various styles. fluted candles and others
to suit the taste
light affect the eyes?;
These candles do not flicker, but
when the light is annOyining it is soft
ened by shades. Some of these have
pretty autographed views brought out
on glass, and where this material is too
expensive there are some made of paper
in all sorts of colOrs and designs. Roses
and violets made of silk form handsome
shades. Some Of the silk shades are
painted and have appendages of lace"
But why are the candles used in
stead of gas or keroSene?'
1T is the custom nowadays to use
candles, either with or without shades,
for decorating and Illuminating balls,
receptions, dinner parties, afternoon
teas. wedding feastS. Christmas revelS
and such like festivities. because of the
Subdued and delicate light obtained.
Another reason is that they lend them
selves more readily to novel ideas in
decoration. and yield more striking eff
fects in light than any other illuminat-
ing agent. Besides all these, it is in the
fashion. Nothing is prettier for the
parlOT OF dining room Thanksgiving or
Christmas day, and they may he prop
erly used as far into the season as
Easter
What about the small candles for
children, or for Christmas treeS?'
"They are as much in demand as
ever, and vary from IA to the pound to
those of about half an ounce each.
These are. of course. of all colOrS, and
are so cheap that even the poorest can
afford to present their little children
with a few. if not with an entire box.
With these candles are the holders. re-
Electors, ornaments for trees in cOlOrs
and tinsel, and the numerous devices by
which the Christmas tree may be made
inviting and attractive"